Hamburg High School - Echoes Yearbook (Hamburg, NY)

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Zliiterarg 2-Xrhieuenwnta nf 1525 fThis oration won scco-nd prize in the Express contest, May 25, 1925, for uf7CStI31'1L New York Districtj Qbur Glnnztitutirm- Uhr 1-Inpe uf the worth By Nancy Brown Yates Thick black darkness-torn by the wavering light of the moon-and patched again with gray Heecy clouds-the vastness of the ocean-the splashing of the waves as the prow of the boat cleaves the water-one lone star in the deep blue vault of heaven, and quiet, deep, silent quiet. At the rail of the boat a crowd of mute, khaki-clad figures peering, searching through the night with eager eyes-There! away to the westward! a tiny spot of white light! It wavers and casts a shaft of brilliance over the entire sky. Liberty! Home! A mighty shout and then a sudden hush, tears on their cheeks and silent prayers on their lips in thankfulness to the Almighty for His guidance in their long struggle for the right and for His care in their long journey. Why is this Statue of Liberty such a stirring sight to the weary traveller, the alien or the American? lVhy is it that when his gaze first rests upon it his heart swells to bursting and his blood runs riot through his veins? Men have been drawn from every race and from every clime because of an irresistable longing for the attainment of the American Ideal. They have thought of America as lifting, like this great statue in the New York harbor, the torch of Liberty to light the pathway of men to things which they most desire. And men of all sorts and of all conditions have struggled toward this light and have come here with an eager yearning to realize their Utopian dreams. It is symbolic of America's offer to mankind, the right to live and to be happy in the freedom of worship, of speech, of action. It is the symbol of the land of opportunity and the protection of the individualls rights. As the immigrant gazes at this figure a question slowly formulates in his mind and it is: VVhy can America offer this to me which no other nation under the sun offers? Wherein lies America's unquestioned greatness F Some one hundred and thirty years ago, in a certain time-worn, little old hall in Philadelphia was born a new conception of government. There in that diminutive chamber met fifty-five men of rare ability, superior intellect and unselfish character. They were men who understood men and governments, their weaknesses and their virtues. And on that memorable spring morning in 1787 each keenly felt the seemingly hopeless task that faced him but was determined, with the help of God, to give to America a government essential to the needs of her people. For four exhausting months they toiled, argued, pleaded, threatened, and finally their patience was rewarded. They came out of that battle, the greatest they had ever fought, with a document which' was the future Constitution of the United States of America ready for presentation to the states for ratification-now our Constitution. It put old Page twenty-eight

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Halnhirturg By RUTH ECKHARDT This evening will be a most memorable occasion. VVe fully appreciate the importance of this event as we are about to begin that growth which will make us like our symbol, the tree, deep rooted in those things which make for strength of character in men and women, and ever desirous of stretching outward and upward toward that which is highest and best. The years which we have spent in our Alma Mater under the able and efheient tutelage of our instructors have, we believe, well Htted us for such growth. It will now remain for us to so develop that those under whose charge we have been in the past few years may feel that the nurture which they gave us was not in vain. However, we cannot now fully View the sky of our future. Deep rooted in the earth of early training we shall push upward and still higher as a tree stretches through the storm and sunshine toward the sky. VVith courage and determination we shall strive to gain a clearer sky and a broader view and if we do not reach our highest ideals, we shall have known the glory of aiming high. And now classmates, fortune may so dictate that we may never again be privileged to all meet face to face. But in bidding you adieu I would say to you in the Words of the poet: A small seed planted from an unknown tree Such is the future, friends, To you and me. How the seed upgroweth God only knoweth. But plant the seed: What's done in faith, is done in deed. Page lzvenly-s'r'ven

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ideas into new dress and new ideas into old. It was the perfection of coordination and the acme of co-operation. It was the renunciation of arbitrary power and it has made the government of the United States of America a success where others have failed. And it was all the more wonderful in that it came forth, as one might say, ready armed like Pallas from the head of Zeusf' The framers of this document knew that every government however designated, whether as Monarchy, as Empire or as Republic, has three inherent functions, the legislative, the executive and the judicial. But for the first time in history these governmental functions were logically allocated and properly coordinated. No one function was paramount, no one ruler or officer, or no one group of public officials could be supreme. It was divided into three parts, the first, the power granted the central government, the second, that reserved to the state, and the third probably the most important of all, tl1e power reserved to the people because of the many inhibitions of state and federal legislatures. Prior to this time it had not been thought feasible to divide sovereignty, but now the novel principle of dual govern- ment and dual citizenship was instituted. The individual was left as a citizen of his state in the sphere of government reserved to the state and at the same time a citizen of the United States, ceasing to be a citizen of his state, in the sphere of government delegated to the Central power. But of all these it seems to me there is none greater than the opportunity offered for the development of men. Capable leaders are the essence of our democracy. The men who gave us our government were leaders. And so from Bunker Hill until the present day when leadership has been required there have arisen men and women of ability to sway others to their purpose sacrificing personal gain to the advancement of national growth. We are a prosperous nation, leading the world in industry, commerce and agricultural pursuits. VVe have always been willing to meet other nations' in conference for the advancement of civilization and for participation in organizations for XVorld High Policy where international cooperation is essential. The knowledge of our supremacy, our leadership, has recently come to us, for in 1776 the thirteen little colonies appealed to the world for help, but in 1917 the world appealed to America to save it from destruction. Therefore in 1917 America sent thousands of her boys' to safeguard that Democracy which she had ushered into the world. In 1919 with the treaty of Versailles came the feeling of exultation in our absolute supremacy. This is the meaning of leadership, and such leadership gives a nation a place in the sun. And so, today, in 1925, once more the call for leadership rings forth, imploring the preservation of those institutions by which we have achieved our greatness and the elimination of those selfish or local interests which take precedence over the national welfare. , The future of America depends upon our citizenship and that of the future generations. America has been as a great light shedding its ray over the entire globe, penetrating the darkest corners and bringing enlightenment and hope to millions. For the good of the world as well as for our own well being, let us continue as the masters of our destiny and a model for otl1er nations. Our sun is still in the ascendant. It has not yet reached the zenith. The early morning hours of our national existence are part of a record worthy to be seen of future generations and the clean, bright sun of our noon-day is yet to shine. Page twenty-nine